The Top 10 Humboldt stories of 2012; tragedy, shark attack, and the damaging impact of marijuana grows

Humboldt County experienced its share of tragedy in 2012. The community mourned the loss of two mothers killed in one day in the shocking crime of a murder in Hoopa followed by the hit-and-run of three joggers on Old Arcata Road. Months later, the region was once again shaken by the tragedy of a family swept from shallow water into the surf off Big Lagoon beach and the death of an Arcata Navy SEAL, who was killed in Afghanistan. Other events reminded us of our area's unique spirit -- including the heroic efforts of a group of surfers who came to the aid of a shark attack victim. Here's a look at the Times-Standard's staff choices for the Top 10 stories of 2012.

A shocking crime

The devastating news came early on the morning of Sept. 27.

Suzanne Seemann, a Humboldt State University lecturer and 40-year-old mother of two was killed, and her two running partners -- Eureka residents Jessica Hunt, 41, and Terri Vroman-Little, 50 -- suffered major injuries in a hit-and-run collision while jogging along Old Arcata Road shortly before 6 a.m.

As the day wore on, news came that Dorothy Ulrich, a 47-year-old mother of three, was found dead in her Hoopa home. The two crimes, which took the lives of two mothers, appeared to be connected. That same day, Jason Anthony Warren was arrested in Eureka on a warrant issued after he failed to appear for his September sentencing for an unrelated crime.

Warren, 28, had been released from custody in late August on a Cruz waiver, part of a plea agreement that had him facing six years in prison with the stipulation that an assault change would be dropped if he showed up for his Sept. 7 sentencing.

Months later, officials have released few details of exactly what occurred that day.

On Nov. 20, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office confirmed it submitted its investigation into Ulrich's death to the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office, requesting Warren face charges of homicide and auto theft.

Based on their investigation, sheriff's office detectives believe Warren killed Ulrich during the early morning hours of Sept. 27 before stealing a silver Kia Spectra that she had borrowed -- the car linked to the hit-and-run.

The California Highway Patrol announced Dec. 11 its recommendation that Warren be charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, animal cruelty, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and vehicle theft for his alleged role in the hit-and-run crash that killed Seemann and injured her two jogging companions.

Warren is currently serving a nine-year sentence at San Quentin State Prison for an the unrelated case.

Seemann, the wife of Humboldt County official Hank Seemann, died at the scene of the hit-and-run. Hunt's dog "Maggie" was also killed.

Soon after the crimes, District Attorney Paul Gallegos said he asked his prosecutors to oppose all Cruz waivers while his office created a permanent stance on the waivers. He stood by his prosecutor's decision not to oppose the Cruz waiver in Warren's case, saying: "It was the right decision for that time."

Tragedy at Big Lagoon

The Humboldt County community was sent reeling once again after three members of a Freshwater family were caught in a strong undertow while in shallow water during a Thanksgiving weekend stroll on Big Lagoon beach.

Mary Elena Scott, 57, and her husband Howard Kuljian, 54, died after being swept into the water near Orick. Their bodies were recovered. The couple's son, 16-year-old Arcata High School student Gregory "Geddie" Kuljian, is still missing.

Olivia Kuljian, who was with her parents and brother on the beach, was unhurt.

In a statement released by the coroner's office, Olivia Kuljian wanted to make clear that her family was in shallow water when the tragedy occurred.

"Olivia stated that the events were not a case of the family thoughtlessly rushing into the ocean after each other," the statement read. "Rather, they were attempts from shallow water that were overpowered by the hidden strength of the ocean."

The family was taking a walk on one of their favorite beaches when their dog went to retrieve a stick in shallow water and was caught in the swells. Howard and Geddie Kuljian were in water mid-calf deep when they tried to retrieve the dog and were swept in. The two became separated in the surf. While Scott and bystanders looked for Geddie Kuljian, Olivia Kuljian and Ranger Greg Hall tracked the father's location.

When Scott made an attempt to grab Geddie Kuljian in shallow water, she was also pulled in. When Olivia Kuljian tried to pull her mother out, the water was so strong that a bystander had to pull Olivia Kuljian to safety.

The family was well-known for their love of each other and for the way they warmly embraced all those who entered their home.

Scott and Howard Kuljian met and fell in love on a backpacking trip in the Trinity Alps. He proposed to her on the peak of Mount Shasta, and they were married in Kneeland on a nearby hilltop. Mount Shasta topped their wedding cake, the family's obituary said.

Arcata Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan

A world away, but on the same day as the Big Lagoon tragedy, Navy SEAL Kevin Ebbert -- an Arcata native known for his dedication to the people, values and pursuits that he loved -- was killed in action in Afghanistan.

Ebbert graduated from Arcata High School in 1998, earned a bachelor's degree in music from UC Santa Cruz and enlisted in the Navy in 2006 -- following in the footsteps of his late father.

Several of Ebbert's fellow Navy SEALs spoke at his memorial, describing a man who thrived under pressure and kept his cool in the most difficult situations.

They told stories of Ebbert going above and beyond the duties of his service, and always being there for fellow SEAL teammates.

They said Ebbert took every detail seriously, earning him the nickname "Ice Cold Kevin." His loyalty and friendship also inspired his teammates.

Ebbert earned the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars in his tours in Afghanistan, where his teammates said he selflessly left cover to provide medical aid to fellow soldiers during grenade and firearm attacks. He married Ursula Ebbert in 2011.

Surfer attacked by shark, rides wave back to shore

A likely great white shark attack near the North Jetty on Oct. 30 left a group of surfers scrambling to save a man's life.

Scott Stephens -- the 25-year-old surfer who fought off the shark attack -- received dozens of staples and seven deep lacerations, but is expected to make a full recover. He has already made it back in the water. Shortly after the attack, he expressed how thankful he was for the community that came to his aid.

The Humboldt Surfrider Foundation raised $1,500 to help with expenses.

"The local support has been incredible," Stephens said just after the attack.

Stephens was able to connect with the surfers -- then strangers -- who rushed to his aid when he paddled back to shore, bleeding and in shock.

Stephens was at Bunkers, a popular local surf spot near Humboldt Bay, when he was suddenly pulled under the water on Oct. 30. He said he punched the attacking shark on the side of its head until it let go, then caught a wave back to shore.

By then, he was shouting for help, and several other surfers quickly came to assist. One man applied pressure to his wounds, while another drove him to a waiting ambulance.

The Pacific fisher and the environment damage of marijuana grows

The damaging impacts massive outdoor marijuana grows have on Humboldt County's natural environment -- and its wildlife -- took center stage after the release of a scientific study lead by Humboldt State University graduate Mourad Gabriel, which officials described as a "game changer" and a primary reason for an imminent crackdown on large-scale marijuana grow operations.

The only peer reviewed scientific study to quantify the impacts of large-scale, illicit pot grows, Gabriel's work was released in the summer. It concluded that the heavy use of high-powered rodenticides at outdoor marijuana grows is likely a leading cause of death for the Pacific fisher, a reclusive weasel-like creature that is currently a candidate for federal protection under the endangered species act.

Many officials said the study underscores the need to make sure illegal grow sites are properly cleaned up, and to find funding for studies on other potential impacts associated with large-scale marijuana cultivation.

"The truth of the matter is you don't have to have the flu to know it's bad -- they can do 400 studies, and I know it's bad," said North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson. "But anything at all that can be done to quantify this -- to show exactly how bad it is -- I think we need to do."

Several officials -- including Thompson -- said they believe increased scientific data quantifying the environmental damage caused by large-scale illegal marijuana grows will loosen federal purse strings, leading to a much needed increase in federal funding to help clean up some of the damage.

Law enforcement, environmental officials and environmental groups have long complained of the environmental degradation associated with large-scale marijuana cultivation on forest lands. But the evidence has been almost exclusively anecdotal, limited to stories of diverted streams, networks of irrigation piping, piles of trash and large amounts of commercial fertilizers, insecticides and rodenticides.

ACRC closes, new facility takes its place

Almost exactly one year ago, the Arcata Community Recycling Center Board of Directors announced that the center's Samoa Processing Facility and 10th Street collection site in Arcata would no longer operate. It was the end of an era.

Formed shortly after the first Earth Day in April 1970, the center was started by a group of environmentalists who hoped to educate, inspire and facilitate the reuse of goods and stem an increasingly abundant flow of materials into landfills.

In addition to the closure of the Samoa plant, ACRC closed its Arcata drop-off facility, depot reusables store and education programs. About 35 people were laid off.

But now, recycling is back in Arcata.

Nearly one year after the ACRC closed in January 2012, the Arcata Resource Recovery Center opened at the same location: 10th and N streets.

The center has been accepting aluminum, glass, cardboard, newspapers, plastics No. 1 through No. 7, and other assorted recyclables since Nov. 14. It is operated by Fortuna-based Eel River Resource Recovery.

Jon Alexander misconduct trial

The trial of Del Norte County District Attorney Jon Alexander's professional life got under way Oct. 15 in a tiny courtroom in the downtown San Francisco high rise that serves as headquarters for the State Bar.

Alexander's trial stemmed from seven charges related to three incidents of alleged misconduct, including violating the rules of professional conduct, committing acts of corruption, speaking to a defendant without her attorney present, suppressing evidence and failing to perform legal services with competence.

Alexander has denied the charges and said he hasn't committed any wrongdoing. He could be disbarred if convicted in the case. The State Bar judge has until April to issue a ruling.

State Bar officials believe he is the first sitting district attorney to face such a disciplinary trial.

$1 million embezzlement

When news spread that a pair of respected Eureka biologists were arrested for their alleged roles in an elaborate embezzlement scheme, the reaction was stunned disbelief.

Biologists Sean McAllister and Ron LeValley were arrested on $1 million warrants accusing them of burglary, embezzlement and conspiracy to commit a crime. The Del Norte County District Attorney's Office alleges that the two biologists participated in an embezzlement scheme headed by former Yurok Tribe Forestry Director Roland Raymond that bilked the tribe out of nearly $1 million over the course of more than one year.

All of the men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In the close-knit world of North Coast biologists, news of McAllister's and LeValley's arrests was stunning, not just because the allegations targeted two of their own, but more so because of who these two are.

Both are fixtures on the North Coast, having been here for more than 20 years. Well known among birders, both are members of the county's exclusive 400 Club, reserved for bird-watching enthusiasts who have recorded 400 or more species while out in the field. And according to those around them, both men's professional reputations were beyond reproach, with both earning a good living for doing what they loved.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has taken over Raymond's case. McAllister and LeValley are due back in Del Norte County Superior Court on Jan. 8.

Arcata's electricity tax

Arcata made national news on Election Day when residents voted to levy a hefty tax on heavy electricity users -- a move aimed at discouraging the proliferation of grow houses in the city.

The tax will affect residents who exceed a Pacific Gas and Electric Company electricity usage baseline. Under the measure, high usage households that exceed the baseline by 600 percent would be charged an additional 45 percent of the electricity portion of a bill. There will be a medical baseline exemption to the tax. The tax will sunset in 12 years.

Arcata's excessive energy tax is the first of its kind. Eureka and Humboldt County are discussing the possibility of looking at similar taxes.

Had the tax been enacted in 2011, a city staff report indicated that it would have generated about $1.25 million in projected revenue. About 600 Arcata homes are estimated to exceed the 600 percent baseline, and would pay the 45 percent tax on their electricity bill.

The details of how the tax will work is still being worked out. Meanwhile, local city officials are keeping an eye on Arcata, wondering whether grow houses will migrate into their jurisdictions.

Pedreros sentencing

It was a crime that broke the heart of Humboldt County residents: A McKinleyville mother accused of killing her toddler daughter by drowning her in the cold waters of the Trinity River.

After three-and-a-half-days of intense deliberation, a Trinity County jury opted against the murder conviction sought by prosecutors, and instead convicted Claudia Pedreros of involuntary manslaughter in the 2011 drowning of 2-year-old daughter Sophia Parker Pedreros.

The jury also found the 31-year-old was insane at the time of the crime. Instead of prison, Pedreros will be committed to a state hospital.

"The real big news here is that she was charged with premeditated murder and assault on her child resulting in death. Both of those are 25 years to life. She was acquitted on both," Pedreros' defense attorney Russell Clanton said after the verdict. "That's a huge thing for her, just given the factual nature of this case."

Pedreros and Sophia were reported missing May 20, 2011, by Pedreros' father-in-law Robert Parker Sr., with whom the family shared a home on McKinleyville's Yamaha Court.

Pedreros was found a short time later walking naked and disoriented along Highway 3 in a remote area of Trinity County near Coffee Creek and claimed no knowledge of having a daughter, a husband or of how she wound up some 130 miles from her home. Sophia's body was recovered from the river.